Illegal funfair ordered to close down by council

Planning bosses have ordered an illegal funfair on Blackpool Promenade is closed down with immediate effect.

Rides have been operating on South Promenade on a site which was formerly the Tudor Rose Hotel.

But the fairground does not have planning permission, although bosses from operators Rushyford Limited say they have done ‘nothing underhand’ and plan to leave at the end of the season

Enforcement chiefs have now taken legal action and have warned the operator could be prosecuted if they ignore the notice.

Coun Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of Blackpool Council, said: “The fairground at South Promenade has been installed without any planning permission.

“As such we have served the operator with a Temporary Stop Notice, which requires the cessation of the land being used as a fairground, the removal of all rides and associated vehicles, generators and kiosks.

“If that stop notice is not adhered to then we will not hesitate to prosecute the interested parties.”

While planning permission is generally not required for a fairground provided it is only on site for a maximum of 28 days, the rules are different for operators wishing to open attractions on Blackpool Promenade.

Legislation dating back to 1949 states any temporary use of land on the Prom must have planning permission.

South Shore councillor Derek Robertson, who represents Waterloo ward, said he had received a number of complaints.

He said: “I have had complaints from nearby residents because the fair has been operating late at night and causing a disturbance to them.

“There is also a public safety issue because some of the rides are very close to the footpath.”

Peter Sedgwick, who operates rides on Central Pier, welcomed the council’s clampdown on the site.

He said: “It is not fair to the rest of the operators in Blackpool who pay high rents and rates when someone comes in like this just for the busy half term and Illuminations.

“They are coming in and trying to take the cream of the trade.

“But they are not here all year round like the rest of us when times are harder.”

Benny Pritchard, from Rushyford Limited who have a spin ride similar to the Spin Doctor formerly at the Pleasure Beach and a bungee ride, said: “We were surprised to get the notice because we have done nothing detrimental. We are going to leave at the end of the season like we said we would do from the beginning.

“We have not been underhand in anyway. It was a derelict site we have tidied up. This is one of the busiest weeks of the year and we have made it look a lot better.

“I don’t think the council like us being there but whoever is making the decisions doesn’t seem to be aware of how Blackpool works. I don’t know what the council’s issue is. I want to work with them, not against them.”